The Mahogany Pod: a memoir of endings and beginnings

By Jill Hopper

“A work of literature: beautifully written, meticulously structured and heart-rending.” Observer

What if you knew from the beginning how your relationship was going to end? When Jill Hopper first met Arif, they were living in a shared house on the island of Osney in the River Thames. Surrounded by willow trees, birds and reflections, it was an idyllic home. But no sooner had they begun to fall in love than Arif was given the news that he had only a few months to live. Everyone told Jill to walk away, but she was already in too deep.

Years later, Jill rediscovers Arif’s parting gift – an African seedpod – and finally sets out to trace the elusive patterns that shaped their relationship.

The Mahogany Pod is a tender and vital account of what it means to live, and love, fully.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saraband
• Release date: Feb 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781912235940

Jill Hopper

Jill Hopper has a background in newspaper journalism and magazine editing. A member of writers’ collective 26 Characters, she has taken part in projects with the Imperial War Museum, Wildlife Trusts and the Bloomsbury Festival. Jill lives in London with her husband and son. The Mahogany Pod is her first book.